The ONCE has unveiled ‘Mucho que Ver’, a series of eleven videos, in which a group of friends gather at their usual café to share their daily lives. Through them, the aim is to «look at blind people with different eyes.»
The ONCE, in its work towards the inclusion of blind and visually impaired people, launches this series with the goal of raising awareness and highlighting the need for all sectors of society, as well as institutions and businesses, to be aware of how to interact with a person with visual disabilities, as well as their different needs in daily life, whether it’s getting around our cities, using public transportation, going to a healthcare center, or even something as simple as grocery shopping.
The presentation was attended by Belén González, ONCE delegate in La Rioja; and Javier Muñoz, president of the Territorial Council. Also present were Beatriz Vozmediano, ONCE rehabilitation technician (the person who helps those losing their vision regain skills based on their needs); Alfonso, an ONCE affiliate; and Marisol, new to this reality.
The event was also attended by the mayor of Logroño, Conrado Escobar, the director general of Social Services and Equality Institute, Marta Gómez, and the councilor for Family Policies, Social Services, and Disability, Patricia Sainz.
A JOURNEY WITH HISTORY
The series takes viewers through eleven daily life situations faced by blind people, just like the rest of society, in order to achieve personal autonomy: going to the doctor and knowing when it’s your turn; going out to dinner and being able to leisurely see the world; using public transportation and going where you want; going to the market and not buying juice when you want milk; taking a nice walk – if you’re lucky and it doesn’t turn into a jungle; walking with a friendly passerby, even if you didn’t want to; or being at work and not knowing who has arrived.
After watching some episodes, a panel discussion took place where the rehabilitation technician and visually impaired individuals shared the daily work carried out by ONCE social services to improve the quality of life for blind or visually impaired people by providing them with techniques, strategies, and resources to carry out daily activities and be fully integrated into society.
They also shared their personal experiences and anecdotes. Attendees were able to put themselves in the shoes of a blind person and experience real situations like navigating a poorly paved or under construction street, going through a market, or taking a bus blindfolded.
ONCE SOCIAL SERVICES
ONCE has a vast network of professionals specialized in visual disabilities who serve the over 70,000 people affiliated with the Organization, promoting their personal autonomy. These social services cover all aspects of daily life for blind and visually impaired individuals, as well as all stages of life, from early intervention for children and their families to care for the elderly: education, employment, rehabilitation, adapted technology, leisure, culture, sports, communication, and a thousand realities accessible to everyone with specialized and specific attention.
